New racecar

[Nefarious]

Well, selling the hovercraft created a vacuum, and the laws of physics can't stand a vacuum, so there has been a new racecar purchase to bring the universe back into equilibrium.

What you see is something of a bitsa - chassis is 2005 R50, engine is a custom build of an r53 lump, r53 gearbox, ast dampers and springs - the rest is either aftermarket or random scrappy bits.

"Bruce", as we are currently calling him, started his racing life as an R50 Mini Cooper Challenge car, but was given a pretty trick R53 supercharged engine in early 2020 (forged pistons, fancy cam, big injectors, small SC pulley, big intercooler - 230bhp), and a pretty special transmission (6-speed, LSD, lightened flywheel, racing clutch) as well as a few other fancy bits (big brakes, 17" wheels, various braces etc etc).
The plan is to return him to Challenge spec - between the included spares package and what we have in stock, we have all the bits (bar an exhaust backbox, I think) - plus a few upgrades to look after the endurance side of things.
We will run the 2022 Modsports season between the three of us in both cars, primarily as a way of developing/testing the mechanical package, with a view to doing at least 3 12/24hr endurance events (one car at a time), including Race of Remembrance again.

All looks great from a driveway inspection, and we've got an awful lot of bits for our money. I'm not usually one to fret about aesthetics, but OMG, something has to be done about the colour before I can bring myself to start work on it!

[Rich B]

We will run the 2020 Modsports season between the three of us in both cars,

flux capacitor included too?

Looks like a fun car to play with - what sort of money does this sort of package cost?

[Nefarious]

Ah yes, now edited to 2022.

We've paid £7.5k for this including spares, but that really is a firesale price. Normally, a standard (and possibly quite tired) R50 challenge car would be £7.5-8k, but because in current spec it falls between different sets of regs (can't race with the r50s because of the engine, not competitive against JCW R56 Challenge cars) price is lower and condition better (new bearings/ball joints/driveshafts etc) than just buying a ready-to-go R50. Plus I want the 6 speed box for the endurance stuff (much stronger than the 5-speed), and should be able to punt the engine for around £2k to go into the tyre fund.

[mik]

Very

Also….

Well, selling the hovercraft created a vacuum,

The Baring Sea Challenge one, or the little one? And did it move enough to warrant an EOTR?

[Nefarious]

Ah yes. I forgot I hadn't posted about the departure of the Big Red Bastard. I feel mildly traumatized by the whole debacle, TBH

Basically, the writing was on the wall from the sea trials at Loch Fyne in summer 2019. We had mechanical problems, and the experience was pretty terrifying at times (in the middle of summer, on. Millpond-smooth loch!). The worst bit was the TV production people rubbing their collective hands with glee - they actively wanted there to be a problem for the sake of 'good tv'. That was on top of all the broken safety promises (no helicopter, no ribs etc etc) I think at that point we knew in our heart of hearts the whole thing was fucked.

We never actually had the conversation with them, cos Covid made it all moot point. So the craft sat in the garage for 2 years, getting in my way (I tripped over the hitch a couple of months ago and dislocated both shoulders!)..

All in all, it was a bit disappointing. Proper adventure that just missed its moment. On the plus side, we had some fair old giggles and I came out of it in profit. And it makes a good story. And I still have all my fingers and toes.

[mik]

it makes a good story. And I still have all my fingers and toes.

That statement should replace “and they all lived happily ever after” as the de rigour close to a tale.

[Gavin]

It just looks dark red, is it the clash with your face and head?

[Foz]

What other endurance events you eyeing up!?